Title: “NO ONE PREPARED ME”—A QUALITATIVE STUDY EXAMINING NOVICE COUNSELORS’ EXPERIENCES SERVING MANDATED CLIENTS

Abbreviated Abstract: In the United States, a substantial number of individuals participate in counseling because of mandates from external entities rather than voluntary self-referral (Choi et al., 2022). Mandated clients may be referred by a variety of systems, including the criminal justice system, courts, child protective services, employers, and educational institutions, requiring them to engage in counseling services (Ritchie, 1986; Sotero et al., 2016). Novice counselors are likely to encounter mandated clients early in their careers, particularly in community-based settings where mandated counseling is common (Freadling & Foss, 2014; SAMHSA, 2023). Although graduate training introduces some clinical interventions for working with mandated clients (Kim, 2008; Doumas et al., 2019), novice counselors often receive limited preparation, supervision, and ongoing support (Kim et al., 2018; Aarons et al., 2009), leaving them to navigate challenges such as client resistance, limited client motivation, and the demands of involuntary counseling (Ritchie, 1986; Lui et al., 2020; Cook et al., 2020). Together, these factors increase the risk of counselor burnout and reduced job satisfaction, particularly among novice counselors (Cook et al., 2021; Ellis et al., 2014; Cook & Sackett, 2018; Morse et al., 2012). This study explored the lived experiences of novice counselors in providing counseling to mandated clients, explored gaps in training and educational programming, and explored the importance of supervision practices and counselor wellness.